In the 19th century merchants and shipowners of Galway wanted a proper
lighthouse on Mutton Island.

In 1817 the tower was built and the light was established.

Mutton Island was one of the very few lighthouses where a keeper and his
family lived. Weather was a big factor in the keeper's life. His family
depended on food supplies from the mainland and the children had to be
transported by boat to school on a daily basis, weather permitting.

This is Bill Scanlon. He lived in the lighthhouse as a
boy when his father was keeper there from 1943 to 1951. Bill came into
our class and told us all about his time on the island when the
lighthouse was his home. It was very interesting.

The light became automated in 1958 and on the 13th of December 1977 it was
extinguished after 160 years of continuous service.

This year we created a working model of Mutton Island and its lighthouse
as part of our Fionn Science Project. This also involved creating a digital
video of the work we undertook. To view our video click here
and select 56k or ISDN depending on your
connection. If you have a broadband connection then click here
instead.